10 Best Child and Baby Bike Seats

When buying a child or baby bike seat, it’s easy to end up with one that doesn’t fit your bike—or your child! That’s whei we come in. Over the past 14 years, we’ve personally tested over 60 child bike seats with our own kids, so you can feel confident choosing the best option for your family. Below, you’ll find our carefully curated list of top picks, along with mini reviews to help you make an informed decision.

From mounting style (front vs back, frame vs rack) to age range (babies to preschoolers), we cover all the possible options you need to consider. If you’re looking for a baby bike seat for an infant, be cautious. In addition to other safety concerns, a baby needs to have sufficient neck strength to hold up their head while wearing a helmet. We recommend waiting until 12 months old.

Additional Recommended Child Bike Seats

Frame Mounted Seats
・Burley Dash, $179 – Rear Storage Pocket
・Thule RideAlong 2, $319 – Best Reclinable Seat
・Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi, $230 – Best Ventilation
Rack Mounted Seats (Racks Included)
・Burley Dash, $179 – Rear Storage Pocket
・Topeak BabySeat II, $209 – Compatible with Disc Brakes
Front-Mounted Seats for City Bikes
・Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini, $239 – Best for Young Toddlers
・UrRider, $95 – Harness Free for Older Toddlers
Front-Mounted Seats for Mountain Bikes (w/ front suspension)
・Shotgun Pro EVO, $439 – Best for Young Toddlers
・Mac Ride, $229 – Best for Older Toddlers

BABY AND CHILD BIKE SEATS – MINI REVIEWS

We’ve personally tested every seat we recommend. Below are brief summaries of each seat, but for a deeper dive, be sure to check out our full-length, in-depth reviews linked to below!

What We Love About the Hamax Caress

What really makes the Hamax Caress stand out is its uniquely universal mounting system. Many bikes have wires on the seat tube that prevent you from using a frame-mounted seat. But the design of the Hamax Caress’ mounting block makes these wires a non-issue, making it compatible with many more bikes than your average frame-mounted seat. And if for some reason your bike still doesn’t work, there’s always the rack-mounted version!

With durable construction, quick and easy adjustments, variable reclining up to 20 degrees, suspension for a smooth ride, and shoulder straps enveloped in soft and slightly tacky foam to prevent them from sliding off little shoulders, the Hamax Caress has plenty of comfort and safety features that make it a worthy investment. We especially appreciate that the Hamax Caress Rack Mounted comes with suspension, which is very rare for rack-mounted seats!

What We Love About the Thule Yepp 2 Maxi

If you’re planning to take your little one for a ride on your ebike, the Thule Yepp 2 Maxi is a fantastic choice. Its waterproof design, suspended seat, tall backrest, and excellent ventilation make it a comfortable option for both short rides around town and longer adventures. Plus, with three different mounting options—frame, rack, and MIK HD rack (a common feature on many cargo ebikes)—the Yepp 2 Maxi is our top pick for ebikes.

While the Yepp 2 Maxi stands out for its quality and ease of use, we did find that the buckle on our test samples wasn’t entirely child-proof, as a few of our testers managed to unbuckle themselves. However, after speaking to Thule, as well as other reviewers and parents, we haven’t come across anyone else reporting the same issue.

What We Love About the Peg Perego Orion

For the low price, there’s not much you can complain about with the Orion. While not as high-quality as the other seats we recommend, we do appreciate its unique mounting system that works for bikes with little or no room on the headset for a mounting bracket.  And because it attaches to the head tube of the bike instead of the headset, the bike seat stays stationary when you turn the handlebars.

With the weight of the seat always in the same spot, the center of balance is more consistent, which is an advantage for adult riders that struggle a bit with balance. The seat is small compared to other front-mounted seats so as your child grows, the seat will provide less coverage.

Additionally, the detachable handlebar only works for kids up to 22 lbs., so the Orion does begin to be less of a bargain as your young toddler grows older.

FRAME MOUNTED SEATS

What We Love About the Burley Dash

If you love Burley bike trailers, you’ll love the new Burley Dash child bike seat! Durable and well-designed for a very fair price point, the Dash seats are easy to mount and easy to use.

Burley’s child bike seats have two unique features that set them apart from the competition. 1) The rear storage pocket is a game changer for short trips when you just need to bring your keys and wallet and don’t want to bother with a purse or backpack. The other seats on this list don’t have this feature!

2) The 5 point harness system adjusts in length from the top, bottom, and sides. All this adjustability allows you to place the buckle lower or higher on your child’s chest according to your preference. We’ve found that being able to place the buckle higher prevents our devious toddler from wiggling her way out of the harness while we’re not looking.

If you’re looking for a rack-mounted seat, Burley makes the process much easier by offering their own proprietary rack that works with the seat. They also offer a version of the Dash that is MIK rack compatible, which is the built-in rack system you’ll find on most cargo e-bikes.

What We Love About the Thule RideAlong 2

The Thule RideAlong 2 stands out as one of the most versatile rear-mounted child bike seats thanks to its wide fit range, easy adjustments, and ability to recline on the go. Its continuously adjustable, no-rethread shoulder straps make dialing in the perfect fit effortless, whether you’re strapping in a 12‑month‑old or a growing toddler.

We also love the RideAlong’s long armrests with integrated safety wings, which not only give kids a comfortable place to rest their arms but also help keep them cooler on warm rides. Add in the quick-mount bracket that makes swapping the seat on and off a breeze and a fabric pad that stays cooler in the sun than most competitors, and it’s easy to see why the RideAlong 2 remains a family favorite.

What We Love About the Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi

Lightweight with a low center of gravity, we found the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Maxi to have minimal effect on the adult rider’s balance. It also has large vents to keep a child’s back cool in hot weather, and a soft, dense foam pad for added bum comfort.

Parents will appreciate the unique, child-proof magnetic buckle and the foot straps that do a much better job than most of keeping little feet secured in place. And of course, made by Thule, the quality and ease-of-use are top notch.

RACK MOUNTED SEATS

Many of the seats listed above are also available in rack-mounted versions, but aside from the Burley Dash, their rack-mounted options do not include a rack. Since finding a bike rack that is compatible with child seats can be surprisingly difficult, choosing a seat that comes with a rack can save you a lot of time and hassle.

If you already have a bike rack, be sure to check its compatibility before mounting a child seat, as many racks are not designed for this purpose. Also, keep in mind that once a child bike seat is attached, panniers cannot be used on the same rack.

What We Love About the Topeak BabySeat II

If you know that your bike doesn’t work with a frame mounted seat and you need a rack mounted seat, the Topeak BabySeat II with an included rack is a simple choice. With all the racks on the market, it can be confusing to find a rack that will work with your child bike seat. Topeak takes that frustration factor out of the equation! 

The BabySeat II is also unique because it attaches to the rack via a proprietary mounting system that simply clicks into place and is much faster to mount and un-mount than other rack-mounted seats.

FRONT MOUNTED SEATS

Front-mounted seats are a fantastic way to ride together with your little one. With them safely between your arms, you can easily chat and point out sights along the way. These seats come with or without a harness—models without a harness are best suited for confident preschoolers who can hold on independently! If you’re interested in checking out other front kids bike seats, check out our 8 Best Front Child Bike Seats comparison list.

What We Love About the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini

In addition to being one of the best seats on the market, the Thule Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini is also one of the lightest. It features the high quality and ease-of-use you’d expect from Thule, with a unique, child-proof magnetic buckle. Its large air vents will keep your baby cooler in hot climates.

The Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini’s quick release bracket allows you to snap the seat on or take it off in less than 5 seconds. This makes getting out for spur of the moment rides exceptionally easy. We also love the large handlebar in front to keep little one’s hands occupied and off your handlebars!

The Yepp Nexxt 2 Mini, however, is not compatible with mountain bikes with suspension forks or with carbon frames.

What We Love About the Mac Ride

The Mac Ride bike seat is a unique “mid-mount” child bike seat that places kids front and center while riding. Originally designed for mountain bikes, the Mac Ride will accommodate a wide variety of frames – from trail bikes to downhill full-suspension mountain bikes.

The Mac Ride is a great choice for any trail riding family, but if your family isn’t quite ready to hit the trails, not to worry! The Mac Ride also makes for a great seat around town and can fit on cruiser style bikes with a quill stem adapter.

The unique mounting system of the Mac Ride allows you to take it on or off your bike in mere seconds, and swap between bikes just as easily.

What We Love About the UrRider

A soft saddle, soft handlebar grips, and foot rests make for a comfortable ride for kids, while parents will appreciate the rubber-lined legs that help protect your frame from scratches.

With over 60 different child bike seats tested, we know firsthand how to find the right seat for your child and bike setup. The key to success is understanding the options available and how they suit your needs. Let’s break it down.

STEP 1: Front or Back Child Bike Seat?

Front mounted seats position the child between you and your handlebars. Rear mounted seats position the child behind you.

This is largely a matter of preference but also depends on your child’s age, weight, and your comfort level. We outline the major differences in these styles below.

REAR MOUNTED SEAT – in the back

• AGE AND WEIGHT CAPACITY: Rear seats are suitable for ages 12 months to 40 lbs. (in Europe up to 48 lbs.) All rear seats are larger than front-mounted seats and have a longer life span as a result. On the flip side, they are usually not as good of a fit for toddlers under 18 months old.
• MOUNTING: Rear seats can mount to the frame of the bike or a rack, which we’ll delve into in the next question.
• FEATURES: Rear seats often come with added comfort features like reclining options, suspension for smoother rides, and adjustable shoulder straps for better fit and security.
• BIGGEST BENEFIT: These seats last longer, often accommodating your child for 3 to 4 years, compared to 1.5 to 2 years with front-mounted seats. If you’re looking for longevity, a rear-mounted seat is the way to go.
• BIGGEST DRAWBACK: The weight of both the seat and your child being behind you can significantly affect your balance, especially as your child grows. This makes rear-mounted seats a bit more challenging to handle, particularly for less experienced riders.

FRONT MOUNTED SEAT – with a harness

• WEIGHT CAPACITY: Traditional front-mounted seats are smaller and typically accommodate children from 12 months to about 2.5 years old, with a weight limit of 33 lbs.
• MOUNTING: These seats mount near the handlebars, usually to a threadless headset or the bike’s head tube. This position provides a close, connected experience for both rider and child. These seats are also not compatible on bikes equipped with suspension forks.
• BIGGEST BENEFIT: Front-mounted seats are ideal for parents who want their child close. With your little one nestled between your arms, you’ll enjoy better visibility and easier bike handling. Kids often feel more secure and love the front-row view, while parents love the “snuggle factor.”
• BIGGEST DRAWBACK: Kids grow out of a standard front seat much quicker than a rear seat.

FRONT MOUNTED SEAT – No Harness, No Seat Back

• AGE AND WEIGHT CAPACITY: Without a harness or seat back to secure your child in place, these mid-mount seats are suitable for ages 2 to 6. At the young end, a child must be old enough to safely hold on to your handlebars. At the older end, many of these seats have a 60 pound weight limit!
• MOUNTING: This newer style of front child bike seat is mounted mid-way between your bike saddle and the bike’s handlebars.
• BIGGEST BENEFIT: These seats have the longest comfortable life span – we rode our 60 pound, 6-year-old to kindergarten on one! Additionally, even at that weight, because the weight is centered on your bike, there is minimal effect on your ability to balance the bike.
• BIGGEST DRAWBACK: Not all parents will be comfortable with small toddlers riding without a harness to secure them.

STEP 2: Bike Compatibility – Frame or Rack Mounted Child Seat?

With a wide variety of child bike seat styles and adult bike frame designs, compatibility is a major issue and is the result of most negative reviews on seats. Once you’ve selected front vs. rear, you’ll need to examine your bike to determine if you can mount the seat to the frame or a rack.

REAR FRAME MOUNTED CHILD BIKE SEAT

Mounting a rear seat to the bike’s frame is more cost-effective because it doesn’t require a separate purchase of a rack. Unfortunately, many bikes are not compatible with frame-mounted seats.

1) Is your bike’s seat tube compatible with a child bike seat?

The mounting bracket for a rear frame-mounted seat attaches to the seat tube, which must be round and have at least 4″ to 6″ of open space. This open space must be clear of studs for water bottle mounts, wire mounts, and for most child bike seats, clear of all wires as well.

Interfering Cables for Rear Frame-mounted Seats

2) Is your saddle (seat) set too close to the frame of the bike?

Even if your bike’s frame has the proper clearance for the mounting block, if your saddle is set to its lowest position on the bike or within an inch of touching the bike frame, you still may have trouble mounting a rear frame-mounted seat.

REAR RACK MOUNTED CHILD BIKE SEAT

Rear rack-mounted seats mount to a rack attached to the frame of the adult bike over the rear tire. Child bike seats typically do not come with a rack. If your bike can take a rack, any rack-mounted child bike seat will likely work. The rack’s weight capacity should be at least 60 lbs.

1) Does your bike have eyelets for mounting a rack?

Eyelets on your bike are necessary for mounting a rack. Without eyelets, you can’t connect a rack to your bike.

There are two sets of eyelets on the frame of a rack-compatible bike (two near the rear wheel axle and two near the top of the rear triangle). The top eyelets are easier to spot and essentially guarantee that the lower eyelets are on the bike.

2) Does your bike have disc brakes?

Bikes with disc brakes have a large rotor around the wheel’s hub. If you have disc brakes, you must buy a rack made specifically to work with disc brakes.

FRONT FRAME CHILD BIKE SEAT

Traditional front mounted baby bike seats (with a harness and seat back) can vary pretty wildly in how they attach to a bike. We’ll cover the two most common methods here – attaching to a threaded stem or to the head tube.

1) Is your bike big enough to comfortably ride with a front-mounted seat?

Front-mounted bike seats take up about 10″ of space between the stem and saddle of the bike. If your top tube (the distance between your handlebars and seat tube) is less than 20″, your chest and knees may both hit the seat.

Cruisers, hybrids, or other bikes on which the adult rider is in a more upright position can get away with just about 18″. Forward-leaning road bikes are not suitable for front-mounted seats as the rider’s chest will make contact with the child bike seat.

Photo Source: Dutch Trading Company (Brighton UK)

2) What type of headset does your bike have (threaded/quill or threadless/ahead)?

There are two main types of headsets on adult bikes – threaded/quill and threadless/ahead. Front seats that attach to the headset are generally only compatible with threaded headsets.

Threaded/Quill Headsets

On quill stems, the mounting bracket is clamped around the stem. Mounting brackets range from 0.5″ to 1.5″ tall, so you will need that much open space on the stem. If you don’t have enough room, it is very likely that you can loosen the locknut and raise the handlebars to get the space you need.

Threadless/Ahead Headsets

If you have a threadless headset, you still have a few options. The Peg Perego Orion seat has four unique ways to mount to your bike’s head tube (not the head set). The Hamax Observer offers a threadless/ahead adapter.

FRONT MOUNT SEAT – NO HARNESS

Front child bike seats that mount mid-way between your saddle and the handlebars are MUCH easier to fit on a bike than rear and traditional front-mounted seats. Since most of these mid-mount seats mount by “squeezing” the top tube and bottom tube on a bike, or mount to the seat post, they can adjust to fit a wide range of bikes.

There are two main styles of mid-mount seats that are designed for completely different uses. Recreational seats are designed for quick and easy rides about town while mountain bike child bike seats are design for mountain biking, but can also be used recreationally.

Because each brand has its own method for mounting to a bike, we suggest reading the full reviews on our website. To learn more about the fitting requirements of each seat, check out their individual reviews: Do Little, Tyke Toter, Mac Ride and Kids Ride Shotgun,

Baby Bike Seat Age and Safety

You’ll notice that many baby and child bike seats are technically safety rated for infants as young as 9 months old. This doesn’t mean it’s safe to put a 9-month-old on a bike. In many states it’s illegal to put a child under 12 months in a child bike seat.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until a child is 12 months old, and also until they can sit unsupported. Many other safety organizations agree, including the CPSC. You can read the CPSC’s guidelines for babies on bikes in their official rules.

ASTM Certification and EN Certification

What is the weight limit for a rear child bike seat? Depends where you live.

In the US, these seats are safety rated to 40 pounds according to ASTM F1625, while in Europe, the standard is 48.5 pounds, according to EN 14344.

But here’s where it can get confusing. Most seats sold in the US are safety certified by both the US and European standards, meaning the same seat is rated in the US to 40 pounds, but to 48.5 pounds in Europe.

Take for example, the popular Topeak BabySeat II. This is a great seat! It is safety certified in the US by ASTM (40 pounds). It is also safety certified by the European standard EN 14344 (48.5 pounds).

So why does this matter? We often see parents in the US choose a seat because they think it has a higher weight capacity – “max weight capacity of 48.5 pounds”!

If a standard rear child bike seat sold in the US advertises a weight capacity of 48.5 pounds, this almost certainly is referring to the seat’s European safety rating.

If you’re looking for a rear child bike seat to carry a child OVER 40 pounds, there’s just no safety rating for that in the US. If you choose to abide by the European standard instead, that’s up to you!

You should also consider an open-style front child bike seat like the MacRide or Kids Ride Shotgun Pro, which have weight capacities up to 60 pounds.

Also regarding certification, make sure that your rear child bike seat has an ASTM or EN certification! Not all seats do. While they are legally being sold (because ASTM compliance is not required in the US), why aren’t they certified? Might as well err on the side of caution and buy a seat that is certified safe.

There is no ASTM certification for front-mounted seats. Puzzling, we know.

Related Kids Bike Seat Articles

Child Bike Seats: How to Choose: It’s complicated! Get educated on the proper fit for your child and your bike.

Child Bike Seats: Comparison Chart: To view, sort, and read reviews on even more bike seats.

If you still need a bike for yourself, we’ve tested a lot of great adult bikes and summarize our favorites on our 10 Best Women’s Bikes page.